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African-American African-American Genealogy 101 Genealogy 101 Getting Started Getting Started Fredericksburg Family History Center, Fredericksburg Family History Center, Shelley Murphy, DM Shelley Murphy, DM Saturday, March 1, 2014 Saturday, March 1, 2014
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African-American Genealogy 101

Aug 26, 2014

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This presentation provides the basic fundamentals to begin researching African American lines; including understanding the records and resources that are available, where to begin, and tips on combating the challenges of researching African Americans.
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Page 1: African-American Genealogy 101

African-American Genealogy African-American Genealogy 101101““Getting StartedGetting Started””

Fredericksburg Family History Center, Fredericksburg Family History Center, Shelley Murphy, DMShelley Murphy, DMSaturday, March 1, 2014Saturday, March 1, 2014

Page 2: African-American Genealogy 101

WelcomeWelcomeIt does not matter who or where in the U. It does not matter who or where in the U. S. you are researching, you need to know S. you are researching, you need to know the basics about genealogy research, the basics about genealogy research, records & resources. Most importantly records & resources. Most importantly asking questions, managing your files and asking questions, managing your files and documenting your resources. documenting your resources.

This presentation provides the basics to This presentation provides the basics to start researching your family tree start researching your family tree highlighting African American research.highlighting African American research.

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Page 3: African-American Genealogy 101

LetLet’’s get s get startedstarted

What are you looking for?What are you looking for?Basic TipsBasic TipsBeing OrganizedBeing OrganizedCommon terms & Common terms & ResourcesResourcesWho do you start withWho do you start withKnow your Records & Know your Records & ResourcesResourcesVital RecordsVital RecordsTypical African American Typical African American RecordsRecordsChallenges of African-Challenges of African-American ResearchAmerican ResearchBringing it all togetherBringing it all together

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Page 4: African-American Genealogy 101

What are you looking What are you looking for?for?

Who, What, When, Where, and WhyWho, What, When, Where, and WhyHas someone in your family already Has someone in your family already completed some researchcompleted some researchDo you have the time? Have you Do you have the time? Have you considered the costs?considered the costs?$$$$-Costs$$$$-Costs

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Page 5: African-American Genealogy 101

Once the genealogy bug bites Once the genealogy bug bites you, it will become an all-you, it will become an all-encompassing monster. You will encompassing monster. You will become obsessed! You canbecome obsessed! You can’’t stop. t stop. You will suffer from the disease You will suffer from the disease called the called the ““genealogy poxgenealogy pox””! !

Ref: Black Roots Tony Burroughs, pg.44Ref: Black Roots Tony Burroughs, pg.44

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Basic TipsBasic Tips

For the For the New & Experienced Genealogist!New & Experienced Genealogist!

No one said it will be easy!No one said it will be easy!

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Page 7: African-American Genealogy 101

If you are not organizedIf you are not organizedyouyou’’ll become frustrated and ll become frustrated and quit, or duplicate research quit, or duplicate research youyou’’ve already doneve already done

7Ref: Black Roots, Tony Burroughs pg.44

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You will become successful in collecting You will become successful in collecting pieces of paper..pieces of paper..

If you do not have a system for If you do not have a system for filing, saving, or retrieving.filing, saving, or retrieving.

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Page 9: African-American Genealogy 101

What goes Out Must come What goes Out Must come ININ

Whether you're writing to a cousin or to a county Whether you're writing to a cousin or to a county clerk three states away, tracking all of your clerk three states away, tracking all of your pending information requests is crucial. pending information requests is crucial.

Keep copies of all the letters you send — they act Keep copies of all the letters you send — they act as records of what you requested when, as records of what you requested when,

Tell the family of your successes or failures…it will Tell the family of your successes or failures…it will become a recording and you might get some become a recording and you might get some help or new information.help or new information.

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Page 10: African-American Genealogy 101

TipsTipsWhen you are researching, When you are researching, OnlyOnly search one search one name/person/surname, if you see other name/person/surname, if you see other names that you need to research further, names that you need to research further, make a note on a post-it, or add to the to make a note on a post-it, or add to the to do list- date it.do list- date it.REMEMBER to cite all the information so REMEMBER to cite all the information so you can return to the right document.you can return to the right document.Stick to your to do list, have only one to do Stick to your to do list, have only one to do list-per person/filelist-per person/fileDo not try to analyze your information -take Do not try to analyze your information -take it home to read, sort, & make notesit home to read, sort, & make notes

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Page 11: African-American Genealogy 101

Common terms & Common terms & resourcesresources

????

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Page 12: African-American Genealogy 101

More tipsMore tipsJoin and participate in a Join and participate in a genealogical society, group…genealogical society, group…Attend genealogy training and Attend genealogy training and conferences (keep a record of your conferences (keep a record of your attendance)attendance)Share your experiencesShare your experiencesAsk for help & Set up sharing timeAsk for help & Set up sharing time

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Page 13: African-American Genealogy 101

African American Genealogy Group/AAGGAfrican American Genealogy Group/AAGG

Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Afro-American Historical and Genealogical Society (AAHGS)Society (AAHGS)

Central Virginia Genealogical Central Virginia Genealogical Society/CVGS Society/CVGS

Albemarle/Charlottesville Historical Albemarle/Charlottesville Historical SocietySociety

Virginia Genealogical Society/VGSVirginia Genealogical Society/VGS

National Genealogical Society (NGS)National Genealogical Society (NGS) 13

Page 14: African-American Genealogy 101

More good stuffMore good stuffDonDon’’t assume anythingt assume anythingWrite down the different spellings of the surnames Write down the different spellings of the surnames (Goens/Goins/Goings/Gowins/Gowens/(Goens/Goins/Goings/Gowins/Gowens/

Gowings)Gowings)Ask questions, document, document…Ask questions, document, document…Research the entire family*Research the entire family*DonDon’’t assume all African-Americans have Native t assume all African-Americans have Native American rootsAmerican rootsProve your research, learn about the area you are Prove your research, learn about the area you are researchingresearchingChat with those who have done it Chat with those who have done it

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Page 15: African-American Genealogy 101

Abbreviations and notesAbbreviations and notesColCol’’d=coloredd=coloredCold=coloredCold=coloredM=MulattoM=MulattoB=BlackB=BlackA=AfricaA=AfricaFree persons of color Free persons of color (FPC)(FPC)

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Free MixturesFree MixturesFree NegroesFree NegroesNon-whiteNon-whiteFree Negroes chargeable with taxFree Negroes chargeable with taxFree Blacks chargeable with taxFree Blacks chargeable with taxPerson(s) of ColorPerson(s) of Color

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Page 17: African-American Genealogy 101

Who do you start with? Who do you start with? YOU!YOU!

Write down your information-Write down your information-Document!Document!Who is your oldest living family Who is your oldest living family member?-Call them-Today member?-Call them-Today Oral History, Photos, and Sharing of Oral History, Photos, and Sharing of InformationInformation

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Page 18: African-American Genealogy 101

What you need to know What you need to know about a personabout a person

Full name and nicknames (why nicknames)Full name and nicknames (why nicknames)Where were they born, what county, city, Where were they born, what county, city, state date, where they born in a hospital?state date, where they born in a hospital?What was going on in the area during the What was going on in the area during the years you are researching?years you are researching?What were the parents, names, What were the parents, names, grandparents, etc, where they born, type grandparents, etc, where they born, type of work they did, siblings… of work they did, siblings… Type of work, who are the neighbors, Type of work, who are the neighbors, church affiliationschurch affiliations

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Page 19: African-American Genealogy 101

Know your records & Know your records & resourcesresources

• Vital Stats records: birth, death, marriage, Vital Stats records: birth, death, marriage, divorcedivorce

• Federal Census & State Census*Federal Census & State Census*• Public records-probate, wills, deeds, tax lists, Public records-probate, wills, deeds, tax lists,

personal property list, mortgages, bill of salespersonal property list, mortgages, bill of sales• Media Records-newspaper, Obits, Funeral Media Records-newspaper, Obits, Funeral

noticesnotices• Military RecordsMilitary Records• Headstones, cemetery recordsHeadstones, cemetery records

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Page 20: African-American Genealogy 101

• LetLet’’s look at some Vital s look at some Vital Statistics Records and see Statistics Records and see what information we will what information we will find…get into groups and find…get into groups and view the documents-ask view the documents-ask questions and think of what questions and think of what you can do with the you can do with the information you find.information you find.

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VITAL RECORDS & Resource VITAL RECORDS & Resource LocationsLocations

• Birth Records : These documents generally include the individual's Birth Records : These documents generally include the individual's name, date and place of birth; parents' names and residence.name, date and place of birth; parents' names and residence.

• Marriage Records: This type of record usually includes the date and Marriage Records: This type of record usually includes the date and place of marriage, names of the bride and bridegroom and their ages, place of marriage, names of the bride and bridegroom and their ages, places of residence, witnesses' names, and occasionally parents' names.places of residence, witnesses' names, and occasionally parents' names.

• Death Records: This source of information may include some or all of the Death Records: This source of information may include some or all of the following: name, age, occupation, residence, and names of parents of following: name, age, occupation, residence, and names of parents of the deceased; date, place, and cause of death; date and place of burial; the deceased; date, place, and cause of death; date and place of burial; occasionally date and place of birth. occasionally date and place of birth.

2/16/08 Taken from BYU online course: 2/16/08 Taken from BYU online course: http://ce.byu.edu/courses/pe/999016073004/public/start.htmhttp://ce.byu.edu/courses/pe/999016073004/public/start.htm 21

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• State Archives: generally located in the state capital.State Archives: generally located in the state capital.• County Records: usually located in the county seat. County Records: usually located in the county seat. There is always more information in the county There is always more information in the county courthouses than has been microfilmed by your local courthouses than has been microfilmed by your local genealogical society. genealogical society. • If the vital records you seek have not been filmed, If the vital records you seek have not been filmed, write to the following to find out if the material may be write to the following to find out if the material may be obtained elsewhere. (or check an online resource)obtained elsewhere. (or check an online resource)• City-Town Records: Some cities and towns began City-Town Records: Some cities and towns began keeping vital records before counties assumed the keeping vital records before counties assumed the responsibility. A letter of inquiry to the town or city responsibility. A letter of inquiry to the town or city clerk may prove beneficial (or check the county clerk may prove beneficial (or check the county genweb or rootsweb internet sites)genweb or rootsweb internet sites)

2/16/08 Taken from 2/16/08 Taken from http://ce.byu.edu/courses/pe/999016073004/public/start.htmhttp://ce.byu.edu/courses/pe/999016073004/public/start.htm22

Page 23: African-American Genealogy 101

Primary vs. Secondary Primary vs. Secondary ResourcesResources

Primary, a person witnessed the Primary, a person witnessed the eventevent

Secondary, did not witness the Secondary, did not witness the eventevent

Why is it important to you?Why is it important to you?23

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Typical African-American Typical African-American Research RecordsResearch Records

• Census Records: 1860 Slave Census & Census Records: 1860 Slave Census & 1850 Slave Census1850 Slave Census

• Bibles, Letters, Property Records-Owners, Bibles, Letters, Property Records-Owners, Oral historyOral history

• Wills, Bill of Sale, Obits, HeadstonesWills, Bill of Sale, Obits, Headstones• References, books, dissertations References, books, dissertations

What are the challenges you will face?What are the challenges you will face?24

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ChallengesChallenges• Records not recorded into public recordRecords not recorded into public record• Records destroyedRecords destroyed• Denial-donDenial-don’’t want to know, itt want to know, it’’s the pasts the past• DonDon’’t want to share the informationt want to share the information• Received information that is not the Received information that is not the

truth or reliabletruth or reliable• You keep looking for people of colorYou keep looking for people of color

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Page 26: African-American Genealogy 101

The NOT’s• Not understanding the GPS concept• Not aware of FAN principle• Not using Cluster Research• Not having a plan

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Page 27: African-American Genealogy 101

Slave records and where to Slave records and where to find them…find them…

• Recorded property records-CourthouseRecorded property records-Courthouse• Historical societies, libraries, archives, atticHistorical societies, libraries, archives, attic’’ss• Look for the plantation owner-who were the Look for the plantation owner-who were the

neighborsneighbors• Plantation owner-find out if there is any Plantation owner-find out if there is any

information regarding the plantation in local information regarding the plantation in local city or county records, historical societycity or county records, historical society

• Look for plantation owner descendants-maybe Look for plantation owner descendants-maybe they are lookingthey are looking

• Google Google ““surnamessurnames””27

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Continued…Continued…• Locate others searching the same surname Locate others searching the same surname

and areasand areas• Wills, estate records, manumission (freeing Wills, estate records, manumission (freeing

of a slave) documents, insurance records of a slave) documents, insurance records • Church and religious affiliation, check Church and religious affiliation, check

library records, special collectionslibrary records, special collections• National archives-records that pertain to National archives-records that pertain to

American Slavery and the International American Slavery and the International Slave Trade: Slave Trade: (http://www.archives.gov/research/african-(http://www.archives.gov/research/african-americans/slavery-records.htmlamericans/slavery-records.html

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Page 29: African-American Genealogy 101

• National & State ArchivesNational & State Archives• Library of Congress (two booklets) Library of Congress (two booklets) • State Libraries, College LibrariesState Libraries, College Libraries• Freedman Bureau Records (marriage, savings Freedman Bureau Records (marriage, savings

and trust company, branch offices)and trust company, branch offices)• Newspapers and Historical SocietiesNewspapers and Historical Societies• Join listservJoin listserv’’s (rootsweb, afrigeneas)s (rootsweb, afrigeneas)• Plantation Records-family holdingsPlantation Records-family holdings

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Page 30: African-American Genealogy 101

More records to check…More records to check…• Emancipation papers (freeing a person from Emancipation papers (freeing a person from

someone else)someone else)• Slave narratives, families genealogy recordsSlave narratives, families genealogy records• Plantation records (check out Edward BallPlantation records (check out Edward Ball’’s s

book)book)• City and County directoriesCity and County directories• Public notices or records, local courthouse Public notices or records, local courthouse

and city halland city hall’’ss• Find resources where Slave research has Find resources where Slave research has

been successful…been successful…30

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Online ResourcesOnline Resources• http://www.afrigeneas.com/http://www.afrigeneas.com/• http://www.afrigeneas.com/http://www.afrigeneas.com/

guide/guide/• http://ccharity.com/http://ccharity.com/• http://www.familysearch.orghttp://www.familysearch.org• http://freedmensbureau.com/http://freedmensbureau.com/• http://www.rootsweb.com/http://www.rootsweb.com/

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Page 32: African-American Genealogy 101

• http://www.cyndislist.com/http://www.cyndislist.com/african.htmafrican.htm• http://http://www.accessgenealogy.com/www.accessgenealogy.com/african/african/• http://www.ancestry.comhttp://www.ancestry.com• http://www.familytree.comhttp://www.familytree.com• http://geneasearch.com/more.htmhttp://geneasearch.com/more.htm• http://www.footnote.com/http://www.footnote.com/

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Virginia Slave RecordsVirginia Slave Records• http://www.accessgenealogy.com/african/http://www.accessgenealogy.com/african/

virginia/virginia/• Limited Slave records in VA collected by P. Limited Slave records in VA collected by P.

A. Miller (by county): A. Miller (by county): http://home.comcast.net/~p.a.miller/geneahttp://home.comcast.net/~p.a.miller/genealogy/docs/slaverecords/va.htmlogy/docs/slaverecords/va.htm

• Runaway Runaway records-http://people.uvawise.edu/runawarecords-http://people.uvawise.edu/runaways/ys/

• http://etext.virginia.edu/subjects/http://etext.virginia.edu/subjects/runaways/1740s.htmlrunaways/1740s.html

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Guidebooks listed by Guidebooks listed by Afrigeneas.comAfrigeneas.com

• Byers, Paula K. African American Genealogical Byers, Paula K. African American Genealogical Sourcebook. Detroit: Gale Research, 1995.Sourcebook. Detroit: Gale Research, 1995.

• Redford, Dorothy Spruill. Somerset Homecoming: Redford, Dorothy Spruill. Somerset Homecoming: Recovering A Lost Heritage. New York: Doubleday, Recovering A Lost Heritage. New York: Doubleday, 1988. (Not a guidebook, but provides step by step 1988. (Not a guidebook, but provides step by step what the research is like.)what the research is like.)

• Woodtor, Dee Parmer. Finding A Place Called Home: Woodtor, Dee Parmer. Finding A Place Called Home: A Guide to African-American Genealogy and Historical A Guide to African-American Genealogy and Historical Identity. New York: Random House,1999.Identity. New York: Random House,1999.

• Young, Tommie M. Afro-American Genealogy Young, Tommie M. Afro-American Genealogy Sourcebook. New York: Garland, 1987. Sourcebook. New York: Garland, 1987.

2/15/08 List taken from 2/15/08 List taken from http://www.afrigeneas.com/guide/guide9.htmlhttp://www.afrigeneas.com/guide/guide9.html

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Talking Stories, Oral history, Talking Stories, Oral history, Interviews…Interviews…

How do you do it?How do you do it? Use the tools available (TonyUse the tools available (Tony’’s book, s book, Ancestry.com, etc)Ancestry.com, etc) Document, document, documentDocument, document, document Listen, Listen, ListenListen, Listen, Listen Record if you have permissionRecord if you have permission Know how & and what questions to ask (think Know how & and what questions to ask (think about what you are looking for)about what you are looking for)

Interview--Oral History Activity..Interview--Oral History Activity..35

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Bringing it all togetherBringing it all together• Tell the story, Tell your storyTell the story, Tell your story• Write a timeline and biographyWrite a timeline and biography• Share your findingsShare your findings

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Do you have any…Do you have any…

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ReferencesReferences. Black Roots, Beginners Guide to Tracing the . Black Roots, Beginners Guide to Tracing the

African American Family Tree by Tony African American Family Tree by Tony BurroughsBurroughs

2. How to Trace your African American Roots 2. How to Trace your African American Roots by Barbara Thompson Howellby Barbara Thompson Howell

3. The Unpuzzling Your Past Workbook by 3. The Unpuzzling Your Past Workbook by Emily Anne CroomEmily Anne Croom

4. BYU Online Genealogy Course4. BYU Online Genealogy Course5. Ancestry.com5. Ancestry.com

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